I believe in the power of a massage. For babies, a gentle massage after a shower is great for several reasons: 1. It feels good and can calm a baby; 2. It reinforces a bond through the touching aspect of a massage connects the parent with the baby and works on strengthening connections; and 3. It lifts and enhances mood through the aromatherapy aspect of the massage if it is done with a fragrant emolient infused with calming scents like lavender, jasmine, mint, lemon or chamomile.
There are various products out there but I recommend going with an all natural balm with minimum chemicals.
I was sent all the way from the Nile in South Africa a few vials of some wonderful crocodile oil in a salve made by Kwena.
Used by the ancient Egyptians, crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles and has been used as a preventative and treatment for a number of human ailments.
The mixture of the oil with grapeseed oil, beeswax and tea tree oil is the perfect blend and texture for moisturizing hands and other body parts. It was mildly fragrant but not too overwhelming and the absence of excess chemicals means it likely wouldn’t irritate baby’s skin.
The moisturizer was not sticky but silky to the touch and could easily be incorporated into a daily moisturizing routine by a pregnant woman who is fighting stretch marks or trying to prevent new ones form forming in her second pregnancy.
It is said this ancient oil can heal several other skin conditions including burns, cuts, sores, sunburn, lacerations and lesions, ulcers, blisters, irritated skin, diaper rash, insect bites, razor burns, sports injuries, sore muscles, arthritis, sprains, stiffness, joint pain, gout and can help with rapid healing of viral and fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot, warts, dandruff, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema!
Phew!
The name Kwena is Sotho-Tswana for crocodile in Southern Africa. No testing is done on animals and the oil comes from crocodiles farmed for other purposes.
Kerns sells their salve for $32 a 30 ml vial and all orders over $55 are free an shipped internationally.
And it only takes a little bit to do the trick which is good given it’s a bit costly. You can certainly nurse it. I did with my one 15 ml sample jar which is lasting me several weeks and I still have plenty left over. Good stuff. Highly recommend!
If you can afford to get your hands on this exotic and rare find, you should.